Reviews

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

kglynch's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

ndd763's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a wonderful and quick read. Great character development and interesting story. I really appreciated the device the author used to move between the different timelines. I felt like I had a very good sense of who these people were by the end of the book.

lorihm's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

hanmccull's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

First of all: Meryl Streep should narrate every audiobook, she is phenomenal! 

A great start had me very intrigued, the story begins with the recounting of a small town girl falling into the lead role in a play, followed by her season spent with soon-to-be mega movie star: Duke. 

Sadly the story was ultimately a bit…boring, really not much happened. There was no real conflict or character development. 3.5* (probably less if I’d read in print)

ginnytalks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sofieknnb's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

carolyneaton's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

It took me a while to get drawn into this one, it’s slow paced, but the beautiful writing, totally evocative of the various settings, got me in the end. During lockdown a mother tells her grown up daughters about her early adult life. It’s about love at various ages and how choosing a simple life can be so fulfilling. 

jpfeffer19's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

marythenomad's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

lovelyday2day's review against another edition

This really picks up in the second half. Not my favorite of Patchett’s novels but very good. I do take issue with the main character removing the u from Laura to go by Lara. I liked the exploration of self and family and what and how she chose to share with others.

“Funnily enough, this turned out to be the thing that saved me: the knowledge that I could get back to myself.”